Ho Chi Minh City Expands Special Incentive Policy, Offering 1 Billion VND in Rewards

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council (HĐND) has unanimously approved income levels and incentive policies for experts, scientists, and individuals with exceptional talents across various fields within the entire jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City—including the formerly merged provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Previously, the mechanism to attract talent in specific fields was enacted by the HĐND in Resolution 27/2023/NQ-HĐND in December 2023. However, this resolution applied only to the former Ho Chi Minh City under Resolution 98, while Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau lacked similar mechanisms. During the 5th session on November 14, the HĐND agreed to issue a resolution extending Resolution 27 to the newly expanded Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, following the merger of provincial-level administrative units, the city has transformed into a megacity with greater scale, role, and status. The city aims to become a global urban center, a leading economic, financial, and service hub in Asia, a growth engine, and a place with high living standards that attracts top international corporations and financial institutions.

To achieve its development goals, the city has identified a key focus: attracting high-quality human resources, experts, and scientists from both domestic and international sources for priority areas such as science, technology, and innovation. Continuing the implementation of talent incentive policies is considered a crucial solution to effectively execute Resolution 57-NQ/TW.

Under Resolution 27, selected experts, scientists, and individuals with exceptional talents will sign contracts based on specific tasks or projects. These individuals will receive an initial allowance of up to 100 million VND; monthly incomes ranging from 30 to 100 million VND, depending on their position and field. Upon completing their tasks, they will also receive research remuneration equivalent to 5% of the budget allocated for the project. Individuals with exceptional talents may receive performance-based rewards of up to 1 billion VND per person.

Additionally, experts and scientists may receive housing support of up to 7 million VND per month, along with other preferential policies. The funding for these initiatives will be sourced from the Ho Chi Minh City budget, ensuring financial balance.

Regarding implementation in the former Ho Chi Minh City, the People’s Committee has established a Council for Attracting Experts, Scientists, and Special Talents. The Council has proposed attracting 12 positions across four units: the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (4 positions), the Management Board of the High-Tech Agricultural Zone (6 out of 7 targets), the Management Board of the High-Tech Zone, and the People’s Committee of Thu Duc City (1 position each).

However, since early 2025, Ho Chi Minh City has focused on reorganizing its apparatus and administrative units, transitioning to a two-tier local government model, which has slowed the talent attraction process. The People’s Committee of Thu Duc City has also ceased operations following the enactment of the amended Law on Local Government Organization on June 16, 2025.

Currently, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology is reviewing workforce needs across reorganized units to report and seek approval for continuing the talent attraction policy in the near future.